Tile or brick cutting machine.



Nv- 718,077. EATENTEE JAN. I, .1903.

J. EENSING. TILE 0E EEIGK CUTTING MACHINE.

` AEPLIUATION FILED JNE' 9, 1902.

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WITNESSESs l www PATBNTED JANLlS, 1903.-

l J. BBNSING. TILE-0R BRIGK GUTTINGMAGHINE.

VAPPLIOATIM FILED JUIQY s, 1902.-

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N0 MODEL.`

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR.

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Nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB BENsINc, OF MALINTA, OHIO.

TILE OR BRICK CUTTING NIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,077, dated January 13, 1903.

Application led July 9, 1902. Serial No. 114,920. (No model.)

T all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, JACOB BENsING,a citizen of the United States, residing at Malinta, in the county of Henry and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tile or Brick Cutting Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines employed in automatically cutting tile, brick, or other products from one or more columns of clay or other plastic material as the same is continuously forced from the die of a mill, and has for its objects certain new and useful improvements upon the details of construction shown and Vdescribed in United States Letters Patent Nos. 411,638, 524,302, and 563,252, granted to me, respectively, September 24, 1889, August 14, 1894, and July 7, 1896, such improvements being hereinafter more specically described and finally claimed. f

While the essential features Aof my invention are necessarily Asusceptible of lmodification, the preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the machine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail of one of the cutterframes and a Vertical sectional view ofthe column, showing the cutter-wire descending through the same. verse sectional View of the cutter-frame at the dotted line a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional plan View of the endless carrier-chain. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the transverse bars of the endless carrier-chain with a suitable tile-column support thereon. Fig. 6 is a plan View of one of the said bars. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the adjustable tile-support. Fig. Sis a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one of myimproved brickcolumn-supporting bars of thefendless.chau.

Fig. 9 is aitdppli'vi'w'ofthe same. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of my improved Fig. 3 is a vertical trans-V cutter-wheel and friction mechanism. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the inner side of my improved cutter-guide standard of the endless chain. Fig. 12 is a perspective View of the outer side of the same, and Fig. 13 is a Vertical plan view of one of my improved cutter-wheel-shaft supports and adjuster.

Like numerals of referenceindicate `like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Mounted on suitable sills 1 is the table of my improved tile or brick cutting machine, the same as constructed comprising the opposite longitudinal sides 2, properly braced and bolted and su pported upon the sills a suitable distance above the same by the legs or standards 3. On the inner faces of the sides 2 are provided the conical anges forming the inner and outer tracks 4 and 5, the inner track being partly or nearly' surrounded by the outer track 5, as fully described in my former patents, above referred to. In the construction of my improved machine I have slightly changed the curved forward portion of the tracks 4 and 5, the same descending on a prolonged curve to a point below the longitudinal center of the sides 2, where they abruptly change and continue on a horizontal plane to the rear of the machine, asshown in Fig. 1. Arranged upon the track4 and inclosed by the track 5 is the endless carrier-chain, which consists of a seriesl of linksor members in pairs at each side of the machine, said links being connected and held in rigid parallel relation to each other by suitable transverse hars secured to their inner iianged bases. The peculiar construction of these links is an important feature in my improvements, as will herein after appear. Each link comprises a cast-metal base 6, from which rise and are formed integral therewith the vertical guidearms 7, which terminate at their upper ends in a segment, on the outer face of which is located the lug 8. (See Figs. l1 and 12.) Each base 6 has formed on its under side and projecting outwardly and downwardly there from the single and double perforated bearing-lugs 9 and 10. Extending slightly outwardly and upwardly from the bearing-lugs in a substantially parallel relation t0 the guide-arms '7 is what I term the lap-wing or guide-arm 11, the upper or segmental por' tion of which passes the segmental portion IOO of the adjoining guide-arm and abuts against the lug 8 thereon, thus preventing any lateral movement of said guide-arms when the same are in cutting position on the horizontal portion of the track4. These guide-arms or lapwngs 11 are for the purpose of guiding the rollers 37 of the cutter-frames in their ascending movements after the column has been cut, so as to carry the cutter-wires into the space between the brick and prevent their contact with the same in the upward movement of said wires, whereas the guide-arms 7 are to propel or rotate the cutter-wheel and to guide the cutters in their descending movements in making the cuts. Near the upper portions of the guides '7 and 11 in order to strengthen the member 11 I provide the outwardly-disposed transverse bar or brace 12, which projects slightly away from the face of said members, as shown in Fig. 12. The links of the carrier-chain are connected in vpairs by the supporting-bars 13, which are of the same width as the base or Iianged portions 6 and securely bolted thereto, the said base and bars being suitably perforated for that purpose. It Will be noticed, Figs. 5 and 6, that I provide two kinds of supporting-bars 13, one being adapted to support a cylindrical and the other a rectangular column of matter. Difficulty has been experienced by the tendency of the column as itis forced upon the endless carrier to occasionally slip on the supporting-bars. I provide against this by placing on the bars 13 the blocks or seats 14, which are broader on their upper surfaces than the bars 13 and have conical sides in order to reduce their under surfaces to the width of the bars 13, as shown in Fig. 1. A suiiicient space is left betweenvthe blocks 14 to permit the cutter-wires to pass between them when the links are connected. Each block 14 has a lug 15 on its under surface to engage closely with an aperture 16 in the bar 13, said lug extending below the block 14 a suitable distance to receive a retaining-pin 17 or to be otherwise secured therein. If desired, the bars 13and blocks 14 may be made integral. Suitable grooves are provided in the blocks 14 to receive` the rim or frame 18, placed thereon to retain a piece of iiannel or other suitable material in rigid position with its wearing-surface ilush Withthe surface of said frame. By this construction of carrierbar the clay column is supported at the points where the cuts are made. Sufficient space is left between said carriers for the cuttings that are carried down by the critters to drop through, and by having a portion of their surfaces covered with cloth sufficient adherence is secured to prevent the slipping of the column. If it is desired to use a cylindrical column -supporting bar, I provide exible strips 19, which are adapted to be removably secured to the bars 13 in the same manner as the blocks 14. The ends of these strips are bent inwardly to retain in loose position therein U-shaped wires or supports 20, having on their outer extremities inwardly-projecting lugs adapted to engage with racks 21, secured to the upper surface of t-he bars 13. (See Figs. 5 and 7.) It will be obvious that these strips can be readily adjusted to receive a column of any desired size.

Each pair of guide-arms when connected as above described constitutes a link or member of the endless carrier, and the same are connected in a series to constitute the carrier by means of pivotal bolts, which pass through the pairs of bearing-lugs 10 at one side of the base-plate 6 and through the singie corresponding bearing-lug 9 at the adjacent side of the next succeeding link or member. These pivots or bolts also act as pins or spindles on which are mounted the antifriction-rollers 22, which run on the tracks 4 and 5 of the sides 2. It will be apparent that when the links or members of the endless carrier as thus connected are upon the fiat or horizontal portions of the track 4 the segmental portion of each lap wing or member 11 will abut against the lug 8 on the adjacent member 7 of the next succeeding link. A rigid carrier is thus provided, and no tilting or independent motion of any one or more of the links can take place when the cutter is operating against the face of the guides in making its descending movement in cutting the brick; but the column will move as a whole from the time it is received until after the cuts are made, by which time the supporting.- bars, with the cut portions thereon, will have reached the curved delivery portion of the track and tilt or diverge from the next succeeding member, thus carrying the cutter-arm (which operates against the face of the lapwing) in its ascending movement away from the column, so as to greatly facilitate its withdrawal and prevent the cutter-wire from striking or engaging with the next succeeding cut portion in its tilting movement. In my Patent No. 563,252 I endeavored to overcome this difficulty by placing eccentrics or pins in the arms of the cutter-frames to engage with the guides of the next succeeding tilting member and carry the cutter-wire in its ascending movement away from the column, but have not found this method entirely satisfactory. To overcome this difficulty, I have devised the lap-wing member above described, which entirely and satisfactorily supplies this defeet in tile and brick cutting machines having rotary cutters.

Journaled in the rearward portion of the sides 2 of the table is the transverse shaft 22', on which are mounted the large spur-gear 23, which is connected by a chain to any suitable power, and the smaller spur-gears 24, which are located one on each side between the sides 2 and the track 4 in alinement with the endless racks formed by the rectangular perforations 25 in the bars 13 and the slots 25 in the bases 6 of the carrier-links, with which the spurs of the wheels 24 mesh, thus making provision for power in addition to IOO that supplied by the moving column of clay, if the same is desired.

Rigidly secured by bolts, passed through the elongated slots 26 in the sides 2 to permit of longitudinal adjustment thereof are the arches 27, on which is adjustably journaled the transverse shaft 28, supporting the revolving cutter. This cutter comprises the wheel 29 and the U-shaped cutter-arms 33, said Wheel consisting of the hub 30, the spokes 3l, radiating therefrom, and the annular rim 32, the cutter-arms 33 bein'g pivotally and movably attached to said rim at regular distances apart by means of bolts. Around the circumference of said rim and alternating with said cutter-arms is a series of lugs or spurs 32, which act as stops for limiting the movements of the cutter-arms in a manner hereinafter described. Each cutter-arm 33 is provided at its center or closed end with a pair of bearing-lugs 34, which are connected at their bases by the Web 35 and are provided with corresponding apertures near their free ends for the reception of suitable bolts. A series of these arms 33 is arranged around the rim 32 between the spurs or lugs 32', the bearing-lugs 34 embracing the opposite sides of said rim and being pivotally and loosely connected thereto by bolts passed through the apertures in the bearing-lugs 34 and the rim 32. The pivotal movement of the arms 32 is limited by reason of the web 35 comingin contact With` one or the other of the adjacentlugs or spurs 32' of the rim 32. The ends ofthe U- shaped cutter-arms 33 terminate in enlarged portions 36, which are apertured to receive bearing bolts or spindles, on which are mounted the antifriction-rollers 37. Near the terminals of each cutter-arm and on theirinner porf tions I provide the perforated bearing-lugs 38, and secured in the perforated portion thereof is a bolt or spindle, on which is loosely mounted the pulley 39, having a V-grooved periphery, as shown in Fig. 3, to receive and retain thereon the cutterfwvvire 40. Apertnres 4l are provided in the upper portion of each cutterarm 33 on either side of the bearing-lugs 34, and adjustably secured in each of said apertures is a rod 42, having a transverse hook or bar at its lower end, which is Within the arm 33, and having its outer end threaded and provided with an adjustable thumb-nut 43. A spring 44 is placed on each rod 42,between its hooked portion and the cutter-arm 33, and

' the spring 45, which is of stronger tension than the spring 44, is placed thereon between the thumb-nut 43 and the cutter-arm 33. The cutter-wire 40 is secured to the hooked portion of one of 'the rods 42, drawn down under the V-grooved pulley 39, across to the opposite pulley 39, and up to the other rod 42 and secured. When the cutter-wire is drawn taut and adjusted by means of the thumb-nut 43, the cutter-arm is ready for use. Difculty has been experienced by reason of the lack of a yielding tendency in the Wire as it makes the cut, the wire very often being broken by striking a stone or other resisting substance in the clay. I have also found that a square cut, occasioned by the lack of resiliency in the Wire, is not as satisfactory as a circular or, as I term it, a double-shear cut, as shown in Fig. 2. I provide for this by the use of the springs 45, the springs 44, which are of a weaker tension, being for the purpose of preventing the rods 42 from flying out should the Wire 40 break.

In order to more perfectly regulate the movement of the cutter-wheel and permit of a retarded movement thereof, I have provided a friction device, Which is so arranged on the shaft 2S as to engage with the hub 30 of the cutter-Wheel, as shown in Fig. l0. The shaft 28 is reduced to a point beyond its center, the shoulder of the enlarged portion forming an abutment on one side for the hub 30' of the cutter-wheel, which is loosely placed on the shaft, and the collar 46 a rigid abutment on the other side. On the enlarged portionof the shaft 28 is placed the friction mechanism, comprising the friction-collar 47, having one side conically bored to iit over the hub 30, and its other side reduced and bored to fit the shaft 28. The reduced side of the collar 47 also has a groove 48 on its inner bored portion to receive and enable it to slide longitudinally upon the feather 49, secured to the shaft 28, thus preventing any revoluble movement thereof. collar 47, is provided with the screw-threads 50 to receive the hand-Wheel 51,Which operates upon a coiled spring 52 of a rubber collar, if desired, interposed on the shaft at the inner side of the hand-Wheel 5l and bearing against" the collar 47. Itis obvious that the movement of the cutter-Wheel may be regulated by turning the hand-wheel 5land causing the collar 47 to loosen or tighten upon the hub 30. Having the cutter-Wheel and friction mechanism in position on the shaft 28, I place the ends thereof in the journal-boxes 53 of the arches 27 and rigidly secure the same from turning by means of the set-screw 54. (Shown in Fig. 13.) At the upper portion of the supporting-arches 27 I provide the adjustingplates 55, which carry the journal-boxes 53 and are vertically adjustable by means of the hand-screws 56. The vertical edges of the plates 55 engage with Bauges 57 of the supports and have elongated vertical slots 58 to `receive bolts 59, passed through perforations in the arches to rigidly secure the bearing plates in their adjusted positions: The handscrews 56 pass through internally screwthreaded perforations in the transverse portions 60 of the supports 27 and bear against the under portion ot' the plates 55, which are verticallyaadjusted by loosening the bolts 59 and turning the hand-screw 56.

The delivery-table of my improved machine is similar in construction to that described in my Patent No. 621,315, with the exception that I haveadded means for lubricating the bottom of the clay column as it The shaft 28, adjacent to the ICO IIO

emerges from the die and is received on the delivery-table for the purpose of preventing the same from adhering or sticking to the rollers 62 or the ycolumn-supporting carrierbars of the cutting-machine. This table con- `sists of sides 6l, pivotally secured at one end to the sides 2 and having suitable transverse braces at their other ends. Between the sides 61 a frame is provided in which rungs or rollers 62 are journaled, and suitable means is provided for elevating and lowering the same. Loosely hung in swinging position beneath the roller 62 ot' the delivery-table is the trough 63, having the Weighted bottom, as shown, for always maintaining the same in an upright position irrespective of the elevation of the table. When oil is placed in the trough 63, the roller 62, being partially7 submerged therein, is kept continually lubricated and transmits the oil to the bottom of the column as it passes along.

This completes the construction of the machine, and the operation thereof as improved is as follows: The column of clay issuing from the die is forced over the lubricating and other rollers 62 of the deli very-table and comes in contact with the endless carrier of the cutter-machine, forcing the same over its track. This movement upon the part of the carrier causes the cutter-wheel to revolve by reason of the fact'that the rollers 37 of the cutterarms 33 are engaged by the forward face of the main portion 7of the guide-standards and the lap-wing ll of the preceding guide-standard in the same manner that a rack-bar engages the teeth of a spur-gear. As the column of clay advances the wires of the cutterarms are carried down through the same, so that the tile or brick are cut. In the downward movement of the cutter-arms the rollers 37 occupy the recesses 64 between the supporting carrier-bars. As each cutter-arm passes the perpendicular and moves upward the preceding link of the carrier reaches the curved portion of the track, and as its upper portion and that of its lap-wing 11 diverge from the next succeeding guide member the cutter-arms are drawn away from the moving end of the column by reason of the rollers 37 of the cutter-arms being in contact with the forward face of the lap-wing 1l as it diverges from the next succeeding member, thus rendering impossible any contact whatever between a cutting-wire and the column after the said wire has made a cut and is in the act of returning to its rst position.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have improved the enumerated details of the machine in the manner speciiied and have greatly improved the working thereof as a whole.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with arevolving cutter and a subjacent frame having an endless track, of a carrier consisting of a series of flexibly-connected sections, each section comprising a supporting bar and guide standards, said standards comprising a main upright member having a lug near its upper extremity and a dependent upright member adapted to lap the side of the main upright member of the adjacent section and abut against said lug thereon, substantially as specified.

2. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame having a track and a superimposed revolving cutter, of an endless carrier consisting of a series of looselyconnected sections, each section comprising a pair of opposite base-plates having bearing-lugs thereon, cross-bars connectingy said plates, vertical guide-standards rising from said base-plates, said standards each comprising a main upright arm, a lug on the upper, outer extremity of said' arm, and a dependent upright arm rising from one of said bearinglugs in a substantially parallel relation to said main upright arm and adapted to lap the main upright arm of the adjacent section in such manner as to have its bearing-face in transverse alinement 'with the bearing-face of the main upright arm of said adjacent section and its upper extremity abut against the lug on said arm when one or more carrier-sections occupy a straight portion of the track, substantially as specified. A

3. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame having a track and a superimposed revolving cutter, of an endless carrier consisting of a series of pivotallyconnected sections, each section comprising a pair of vertical guide-standards, a transverse bar connectingsaid standards and having an elevated central portion, a covering for said elevated portion, a frame adapted to rest on and be secured to said elevated portion and retain said covering thereon, substantially as specified.

4. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame, an endless carrier arranged for movement therein, and consisting of a series of flexibly-connected sectons,

of a revolving wheel supported above the carrier, U-shaped arms pivoted thereto, cutterwires yieldingly secured within said arms and adapted to connect their outer extremities, and antifrction-rollers mounted at said extremities. f

5. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame having a track, an endless carrier arranged for movement thereon and consisting of a series of flexibly-connected sections having guides at their opposite ends, of a revolving Wheel supported above the carrier, U-shaped arms pivoted thereto, antifriction-rollers mounted at the terminals of the arms, lugs projecting inwardly from said terminals, pulleys having V-grooved peripheries mounted on said lugs, bolts yieldingly secured in the horizontal portions of said arms, cutter-Wires secured to ICO IIO

said yielding bolts and adapted to rest in the peripheries of said V-grooved pulleys and to consecutively descend between the said iieXibly-connected sections as said wheel revolves, substantially as specified.

6. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame having a track, an endless carrier arranged for movement thereon, of a superimposed transverse shaft, a revolving cutter-Wheel loosely mounted thereon, a hand-operated clutch mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage the hub of said cutter Wheel and regulate the movement thereof, substantially as specified.

7. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination with a frame having a track, au endless carrier arranged for movement thereon and a superimposed revolving cutter, ofa delivery-table mounted at the rear of said frame and having a series of rollers thereon, an oil-trough loosely hung in swinging position beneath one of said rollers and adapted to lubricate the surface of said roller as it revolves, substantially as specified.

8. In a brick and tile cutting machine, the combination, with a frame, an'endless carrier arranged for movement therein, and a stationary superimposed transverse shaft, of a revolving cutter-Wheel loosely mounted thereon, means ou said shaft for regulating the movement of said wheel, said means comprising a friction-collar adapted to engage with hub of said Wheel and prevent it from rotating on said shaft, and a hand-Wheel threaded on said'shaft and adapted to regulate movement of said collar.

In testimon57 whereof I have lsigned my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB BENSING.

Witnesses:

WILBER A. OWEN, CEAS. W. OWEN. 

